First shipment of Covishield set to reach Delhi tonight

The first shipment of coronavirus vaccine Covishield developed by Oxford University-AstraZeneca and manufactured by Serum Institute of India is all set to reach Delhi tonight as India prepares to roll out the shots for nearly 30 crore people in the first phase.

The shipment, to be brought by an Air India plane from Pune where SII facility is located, will be immediately shifted to a huge cold storage.

The vaccine would also be sent to other major Indian cities over the next three days and the Indian government has sent a communique to authorities of all the 37 states and federally-administered territories to be ready to receive the consignments of the shots, our New Delhi correspondent reports.

"In this regard, you are requested to ensure the advance preparation and readiness for the acceptance of forthcoming supply of the vaccine," Pradeep Halder, Advisor, Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) in the Health Ministry, said in a letter dated January 5.

Further distribution of vaccine to the districts will be done as per the registered beneficiaries, for which a separate communication would be sent soon, the letter stated.

The Health Ministry had on Tuesday said it was prepared for Covid-19 vaccine rollout within ten days of getting approved for restricted emergency use on January 13 but a final decision on the launch date would be taken by the government.

The first phase of India's Covid-19 inoculation will cover healthcare staff, frontline workers and senior citizens above the age of 65.

Last Sunday, Drug Controller General of India approved Oxford-AstraZeneca and India's indigenous vaccine Covaxin made by Bharat Biotech for emergency use in the country.